Clutch control for automobiles



July 20, 1937. R. H. KRE'ss CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 'July 1, 1,951

5 Y e w nl INVENToR ATTORNEY July 20, 1937. R H, KRESS 2,087,380

CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 1, 195i 2 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORN EY legittimatiA Joly-20, 1937' Ralph H. Kl-ess, Lawrence, Mass., assigner to Patent Protection Corporation, trustee, Lowell, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 1, 1931, serial No.L 548,122

1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for the more convenient `control of automobiles the motive power of which is an engine of the explosive type.

Such automobiles ordinarily have a frame or 1 chassis supported by front steering wheels, and rear vdriving wheels in which is a. differential connected, by what I-will call a 'clutch shaft, with a clutch member, the other member of which is.

connected to what I will call the motor crank shaft which is driven by or forms part of the motor.

In addition to thesev parts and a steering post4 and wheel, there is ordinarily a foot brake with a foot brake pedal which extends up through a footboard within convenient reach of the operators right foot.

In addition to a hand throttle, the movement of which controls a carburetor and thereby the motor, there is usually anv accelerator or more properly an accelerator button which projects through the footboard within convenient reach of the operators right foot and usually close to a -footrest on which the right hand side of the operators vright foot can rest.. I preferably'replace-such a fixed footrest by a clutch control button which, as well as the accelerator button can be controlled by the right foot. By limiting-the movement of this clutch button to a greater or less movement, the relative action on the clutch'and on the engine speed,

controlledl `by the accelerator button, can be changed within substantial limits. A

By rocking 'the right'foot or pushing it straight in, other combinations'can be made. In fact al1 o movements of the car except braking and gear shifting can be controlled by the right foot.

I can use va movable footrest for my clutch button or a xed footrest associated with an elec- Atric push'button.

This accelerator button throughsuitable connections controls the-flow ofV gasoline and air to the carburetor and, therefore, the movement'I clutch shaft, the shifting of gears being done w-hile the clutchwas disengaged.

Recently there have appeared devices adapted for what is known as free wheeling. The purpose of such devices is to allow the engine to idle but the car to run fast or faster ,than the engine,r

by momentum, asinv coasting Aon along. 1ow

grade.

The present method of free wheeling isillustrated by a pawl and ratchet connection between the engine and the driving wheels. If the engine is travelling faster than the wheels, it picks up and drives, but if the reverse is true, the machine coasts, the driving wheels moving faster than the engine. In other wordsthfe engine can drive the drive wheels, but the drive wheels cannot drive the engine. It follows, therefore, l

that with such a, device, if the motor should stop when idling at slow speed, `the motor must be again started by the self starter as the momentum or movement ofthe driving wheels will not cause the motor to start. i

With my device, however, the movement of the drive wheels willstart the motor as soon as the clutch engages and the clutch engages 'as soon as enough together to'be under the sole of the shoe of the right footrof the operator.` 'As' there are no mechanical parts between the clutch control button and the self-contained clutch, there is no lag `nor lost motion andthe deceleration .and the disengagement of the clutch synchronize smoothly. Besides this, indescending long, steep grades,

with the present' free 'wheeling devices, the momentum of the car isnot retarded yby the -back pressure in the engine and the brakes must 'be used, even if'the engine isshut oi, while with and the right'foot used onthe clutch button my device, the engine ignition can lbe shut off.'

alone. By pressing only the clutch control button, theengine and-wheels are connected. and

the engine is turned over thus causing the back pressure vto retard the car.

I accomplish the vpurposes-ofl this invention 'i preferably by providing a-'meanstof controlling a pneumatic clutch by 'the-same foot, usually the right foot, whichcontrols the accelerator. This is donein such awayvthat as the foot -is pushed towards lthe footboardjthe clutch vcon? trol devices. engage ,the'clut'ch at 'the same' time 'that the accelerator button-'operatesto 'increase the speed of'j'themotor.LIV

Under the -oppositeconditiona whenV thev right foot is moved awaylfiromjthe footboard 25 the accelerator button is pressed as the top s of V reaches a certain'point, the clutch is disengaged, but `this point is before the motor stops.

The result of this is that it is possible to get the eifect of free wheeling4 in trailic. which means the motor idling and the automobile stopped., 0r

to shi t gears without touchinga clutch pedal with left foot. J

I -accomplish the desired purpose by using a pneumatic clutch operable by uid pressure prei'- erably from a tank connected with an end of one of the motor cylinders and controlledl by a valve y Preferably the accelerator button and clutc control button are s close together that one foot can press both, but the clutch button can be in a different place', as for instance wherefit vcan be operatedby the left foot in -place of the usual mechanical clutch pedal. However, when operated with the right foot the action is the opposite from that of the usual mechanical clutch wherein the clutch is disengaged as the Vforced towards the footboard.

'I'he main feature ofvthis invention is the use,

of a clutch forming part of which is pneumatic means controlled by a valve mechanism operative by the foot of the operator. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation 'partly broken away showing the parts of an automobile to which my device is applied.

Fig. 2 is a'plan view of the-footboard of an automobile showing the position of the controlv buttons, steering post and iootv brake.

Fig. 2A shows a part of the footboard of` an automobile with the controls in a diiferent position from Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a clutch of the preferred type.

Fig. -4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified type of clutch. F

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views through the ports of a preferred type of control valve.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the valv shown in Fig. on the line 8 3.`

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3. f

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line lil-I0 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line II--il of Fig. 3."

Fig. `12 is a vertical sectional view on the line i2-I2 of Fig. 3. l

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view on the `line i3-l3 of Fig. -3.

Fig. 14 is en emerged vertical sectional view' showing part of the tank with associated valves and nipple. e

Fig. l5 is a vertical sectional detail showing a modified form of clutch. v K

In the drawings, M represents the explosive motor of an automobile from which extends the motor crank shaft S to the clutch C. From clutch C extends theclutch shaft K to the transmission mechanism including the gear shift, shaft and diierential. f

' F is the footboard through which projectthe accelerator button A and valve control/button B. Preferably the valve control button B should be located so close to the accelerator A that both pedal is may befo'perated together by the sole of the shoe of the operator, but as shown in Fig. 2A, a similar control button BB can 'be located at the leftV of the steering post in place of the usual clutch pedal, or it might be located in any other convenient place at or in the footboard.

T is a.l tank capable of retaining pneumatic pressure, the tank T as shown being connected as by a pipe 30 to the top 3| of oneof the motor cylinders 32, there being preferably a check valve 9 which holds pressure in the W is a flywheel of theusual annular construction and V is a three way vvalve in a conductor as, it which extends from tank 'r int'c the clutch' C in a manner to be described.

Valve V is controlled by an arm Il which is .pivotally connected to-an arm 52 which at 53 is pivoted to another arm ll the footboard at Il.

56 is a shank pivoted at I1 to arm Il andcarries at its other end the valve control button B, between which and footboard F is a button return spring |53 of the compression type.

53 is a tension spring connected at one lend to the framel9 and at the other end I to the arm 5i which operates' valve V.

pivoted underneath 35 is aconductor or pipe from tank T to valve V and 36 is a conductor orpipe from thevalve to the clutch C to be'described.

Valve V has a casing l5 through which pipes 35 and 38 enter and also an exhaust 41.

46 is the revoluble plug having ports 4I, 42 and I3 so arranged that asv the valve arm 5i is moved, gas can be exhausted from 36 through 41 as shown in Fig. 5, all ports can be closed as shown in Fig, 6 or compressed gas from tank T can pass through pipe 35, port 43 and Il through outlet 38 to the clutch.

20 indicates the steering post and 2i a brake pedal shown as located in the usual position at the right ofthe steering post while the accelera- Y A tor button A and valve control button B are more at the right, as shown, in position to be operated y wheel W in which is an annular recess |62 in which is a member 62 whichcarries an annular clutch face 33 there being a plurality of pin holes 64 in 32 to slidably receive pins 65 each fixed to an annular clutch plate 31 which forms a movable part of bellows indicated broadly by 68. The fixed member of bellows 33 is a plate 6I between which and plate 31 are the flexible bellows members 3l, 3l. 69 represents the annular clutch face carried by plate 61-opposite face 33.

Both clutch pistes cr members s1 and si are circumferentially rigid, but one, 6,1, is axially movable. l

6l is a sleeve iixed to plate 31 and slidable on the part 13 of clutch shaft K.

Compressed gas passes in and out of valve V1 through passage 36, a e `|33 in the fixed bearing H and from thence to the annular passage 33 forming part of bellows 63.

Sleeve 63 which is fixed to plate 31 revolves with the bellows and isslidable axially on the part 10 of shaft K.

Gas entering beiicws u metes plate naway from 3i and compresses 'springs 63 and thus engages the clutch, and'when valve V is turned as in Fig. 5, these springs force out the gas,.c1osing the bellows and disengasing theclutch faces.

The bearing H maybe of any suitable Lind. the one shown including a cap, ball race andballs together with a ilange, on each side of which are 75 tween the annular flange 8 carried by plate 6|.

and plate 6| itself.

The clutch shaft K is reduced in size at 18' where it passes through sleeve 68 and again at 1| at which place it is slotted to receive one or more splines 14 by which a hub 15 which carries an annular clutch plate 16 is rmly fixed on shaft K.

'I'his clutch plate 16 has on each side, the annular clutch faces 13 and 19 which revolve freely between the motor crank shaft clutch faces 63 and 69 except when compressed'gas is allowed f-to flow into the bellows between the plates 6| and 61 by turning valve V to the position shown in Fig. '7.

When the valve is turned back to the position shown in Fig.,5, the springs 66 force this gas out as stated. v

The end 12 of shaft K is shownas revoluble in a suitable bearing |12 in motor shaft S.

Clutchplate 16 should be resilient enough to permit lining 18 to engage face 63 when the bellows is expanded by the entry of compressed air or gas and when face 69 on that account has been forced over to the right of lining 19.

The part I |2 of shaft K holds it in place against casing and I2 represents grease grooves for lubrication.

Instead of depending wholly on compressed gas from the motor M, I prefer to use on the end of pipe 38 a nipple |34 to which an ordinary bicycle pump can be attached and the tank T lled after turning a valve 34 which valve can then be closed and the bicycle pump removed.

I also prefer to provide a hand pump indicated by lan so that 1f the tank 'r has become empty' after a car has been put up for sometime, pressure in it can be replaced without starting the engine either through nipple |34 or by operating pump |38.

In Fig. 4 is shown a slightly'diflerent type of pneumatic clutch. is the motor crank shaft in which 2 is a bearing for the hub 82. 3 is a ily wheel and 4 is a. clutch plate of annular form carried thereby while 5 is a clutch face on the inside of the fly wheel.

88 is a clutch shaft similar to K which has a reduced portion |8|, with parallel slots 8|, which passes through the hub 83 and into another hub 82 revoluble in bearing 2. 185 is a clutch plate carried by hub 82 and 84 is a clutch plate carried by hub 83 and 86 is a bellows between them.

These clutch plates 84 and 85 have suitable faces adapted to engage respectively with 4 and 5.

Clutch shaft 88 preferably isenlarged at |88 and rests against a fixed bearing 81. ,In this construction both of the hubs 82 and 83 revolve together with their respective plates 84 and 85 and are also slidable axially on the reduced portion |8| of shaft 88. Their movements are limited by a stop ring |89 whereby the compression springs 6, 6 which tend to force plates 84 and 85l together are prevented from allowing the faces of plates 84 and 85 to engage the faces 4 and 5 when it is desired that the clutch should be disengaged.

These springs 6, 6, tend to keep the bellows closed and force the air out of the bellows.

As shown, the axial movement of hub 8| is liml ited by the face of plate `'84 engaging 4 in its movement towards the part |88 of shaft 88 whereby The hubs s2 and a3 are provided with interinav longitudinal ribs or splines such as 28| and 38| vwhich engage slots 8| in the part |8| whereby all revolve together with the shaft 88 in bearing 81 and in a bearing 2 in the end of motor crank shaft when the clutch members are not engaged.

When the clutch members engage, however, the shaft drives the shaft 88.

In Fig. l5, I show another modication of the pneumatic clutch in which the fly wheel W and the parts 62 as well as the pin holes 64 and plate 6| are the same as in the construction shown in Fig. 3.

'Ihe plate 16 with the linings 13 and 1 9 is also the same as is the` other clutch plate 61. 'Ihe annular face |69 of plate 61 is slightly dierent and projecting from it are a plurality of pins such as |65 which enter pin holes 64 and around which are the returning compression springs |66.

Fly wheel W has an annular depression |8| in which as shown is a holding ring |88 these two holding a single diaphragm |82 and being held by screws 488 which also hold the plate 6| which becomes a fixed member of a bellows or pneumatic pressure arrangement. 'I'he compressed gas enters by a channel similar to 38 into thespace between 6|, 61 and |82.

40| represents one of a number of stops tolimit the outward movement of springs |66.

I claim: .Y

The combination in an automobile having a motor, a motor crankshaft, drivewheels operableby a clutch shaft in alignment with the motor crank shaft, a footboard and a source of uid pressure; of a uid pressure operable clutch between the motor crank shaft and the drive wheels. said clutch having two clutch members, one carried by the motor crank shaft and the other by the clutch shaft, one clutch member being revoluble with one shaft and the other being revoluble with and slidable axially on the other shaft to engage the other clutch member; an annular exible disk member which seals a substantially annular chamber in the clutch, the center of which chamber is at the axis of the shafts, said chamber being From this channel 89, the

connected with the source of uidpressure by a conductor; a control valve in said conductor; and

a valve control button which connects with said' 

